tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80022253781787473482024-02-02T15:57:34.899-08:00Our Weapon Is LoveAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-2659329458569141302015-08-27T09:44:00.000-07:002015-08-27T09:44:12.798-07:00The Prostitute (or) His Majesty's Daughters<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few weeks ago we had a duo team come over to Addis from Charlotte to document the work and ministry of MYM Ethiopia. Steven Mills and Mathew Rogers manned their cameras for 10 days and caught some breathtaking photos and videos. Not only did they capture some amazing images on film, but God also imprinted some soul-shaking images on their hearts and minds. </span><div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steven Mills, Mathew Rogers, Carmen Post, and Trent Post</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had planned to post an update this week to catch everyone up on our family's journey, but when I read the Facebook note posted by Mathew Rogers, I knew that I didn't have anything that could even touch what was poured out from his heart concerning our work here. Mathew has been gracious enough to allow us to use his journal entry as a guest post on our blog. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Prostitute (or) His Majesty's Daughters</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today marks one week since my return from Ethiopia. It took me a minute after returning home to process what's been going on in my soul. In fact, it wasn't until this weekend that I even began to wake from the malaise of jet lag, caffeine addiction, sleepless nights, and pesky whispers from the that Still Small Voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was attempting sleep in Elliot's bed. He was dreaming beside me with his sweaty arm across my neck. He's like a little heater. I was looking at the paper lanterns above his window, trying to will myself to sleep. Thoughts swirling again; orphans, Amele, Trent & Carmen, poverty, Amy, goats, smog headache, that smell...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My mind always came back to one moment. In all 10 days that I spent in Ethiopia, 8k miles away from my family, one moment. The moment when 3 women rescued the prostitute from rape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I realized how greatly this night has effected me when I attempted to recount the tale to Debbie, and couldn't stop shaking. I wasn't cold. My Soul was shaking. The Spirit was shouting at me or whispering at me...whichever one. My soul woke up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, Carmen had been threatening me with this particular event for the whole damn trip. She's pushy. She was going to take Steven and I out with herself, Amele, & Amy at 4:30am to meet the new crew of street boys that would be coming to the Day Center. They had been meeting with these boys for somewhere between 3-4 months on the streets in the morning or in the middle of the night. Right where they sleep. Talking to them. Making them laugh. Learning their names.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>My brief note to New Believers (or Veteran Believers for that matter):</b> This world is going to try to teach you that the important people of the world drive big cars, have big homes, have big egos, and have a huge following on social media. It's a <i>complete</i> lie. It couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, Jesus said:<i> "God lays low the proud, and favors the humble." </i>Carmen shook the celebrity culture of the United States right off me, and reminded me how the King of Heaven laid down his life for such as these:<i></i></span></div>
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<i><span class="photo " style="padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="The King of Kings would be proud to be counted among them." class="photo_img img" src="https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/p480x480/11891144_10155944838510133_5893511634664583122_n.jpg?oh=932cb05df636c868dd5a77ef2d4edae1&oe=56822E49" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" title="The King of Kings would be proud to be counted among them." /></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="photo " style="padding: 0px;"><span class="caption" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 12px; padding: 2px 0px 0px;">The King of Kings would be proud to be counted among them.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I knew this adventure with Carmen was going to mess me up. Not because I hadn't seen poverty before. But because I'm a father now, and I knew I was going to see Elliot and Leona in the streets of Addis this particular morning, and I didn't know if I could take it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So we pulled up onto the curb underneath a bridge across from a bus pick up. There they were. At the base of the truss of the bridge rested a vulnerable tangle of dirty fabric, mangy dogs, gravel, and tender limbs reaching out for one another. Amy got out of the car first. She got close and called out their names. Little faces rose up out of the mass, and that's when I saw Elliot's face. I blinked back tears, and got out of the car with Carmen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The boys sat up one by one to greet the ladies. They rubbed their sleepy eyes and chatted in Amharic through growing smiles. Amy and Amele translated for Carmen when she couldn't find the words. The boys greeted the ladies like old friends. </span></div>
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<span class="photo " style="padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Amy greeting the boys at our first stop." class="photo_img img" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xtl1/v/t1.0-9/q83/s720x720/11892140_10155945639125133_1553402183031584318_n.jpg?oh=fb67576220442ab18a7c0ac732507d45&oe=567B4E32&__gda__=1446444231_4902702ff475e4e2b799ec6348c17170" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" title="Amy greeting the boys at our first stop." /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12px;">Amy greeting the boys at our first stop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite the early hours, we began to draw a crowd. I imagine it was strange to the onlookers at the bus stop to see 3 Americans and 2 Ethiopians seeking company with street boys at 4:30 in the morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eventually we began to get the feeling that we were drawing too much attention to the boys. Carmen instructed the ladies to tell the boys that we would be back and we would be taking them to breakfast. We had one more stop to make to find another group of boys before the restaurant opened at 7:00am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The 5 of us jumped back in the car and circled the bridge once to make sure the crowd was dissipating, leaving the boys undisturbed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We drove a little ways through the sleeping city, toward the 2nd group of boys. That's when it happened. At the roundabout. As we turned left, our headlights ran across a man and woman kneeling in the shadows next to some steps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The light only passed over them briefly. The man had his arms around her waist, and she had her hands on his arms. She was on her knees and he was kneeling down beside her. It could have been one of two things; she had been drinking and he was helping her get to her feet...or something much less noble.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Carmen brought the car to a stop, and had this look on her face. A 'blood in the water' kind of look. "Wait a minute..." she says. She drops the car in reverse and readjusts the car using the headlights to purge that dank ally of all it's shadows. Both individuals held their hands over their eyes and looked to the car. It was clear to see then that the mans intentions were vile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Was he trying to rape her?!" </i>Carmen shouted as Amy lept from the car. Amy got down beside the girl and put her hand on her shoulder. It took a second for my brain to register exactly what was happening, but I heard Amele begin to translate from the back seat, "She's saying help me. Please help me." Carmen's battle cry grew louder (and a bit <i>saucier</i> actually). Carmen and Amele lept from the car too, and all three women positioned themselves like a wall of rabid honey badgers between the girl and the man. That's the best and most accurate description I've got. Carmen is like 5'2 with heels on, and the look of fire in her eyes could falter a defensive end. Amy told the girl to get her shoes and run in Amharic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My mind was catching up to the Reality unfolding around me. I opened the passenger door and muttered my prayer under my breath; <i>"Beloved, protect us."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As my two feet hit the concrete, I could see the man hold up conciliatory gestures, pleading with the women to calm down. "I paid her. I paid her," he said. "This is a misunderstanding." The girls presence provided momentary relief from the man's advance. She quickly pulled down her jean skirt , picked up her sandals from the ground, and ran down the street, looking back only once. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The man backed away from the girls who never broke eye contact with him, and I felt my soul whisper; <i>"Behold, the King's Daughters." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Step by step, the man eased himself away from them, eyeing over his shoulders as he angled for more and more distance.<u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Carmen's voice was roaring with indignation. With every step she took forward, the man stepped backward. If this were a David and Goliath scenario, Goliath would have never gotten out on the damn field. <i>"DON'T YOU HAVE A MOTHER?! DON'T YOU HAVE A SISTER?! HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED TO THEM?!?!!!", </i>she demanded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The man held up hands of surrender and once space between himself and the girls were sufficient, did an about face with his tail less than neatly tucked between his legs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The girls lingered in the street long enough to make sure the man was well on his way and the girl was a far cry in the opposite direction. Slowly, we all gathered back in the car. Carmen's eyes never left the man as he diminished into the dark city. After the last car door closed, I looked to her, <i>"I've missed you, Carmen."</i> It broke the tension and we all laughed. She put the car in gear, and we finished the drive to the still-sleeping boys a few streets away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It wasn't until much later in the day that my mind started to interpret the events of the morning. I was in the car with Trent on our way out of the city to see the sights when my emotions began to find their way to the surface.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This event has convicted me to look inwards. Thoughts of my safety were the first thoughts I had when I saw the girl in the clutches of that man. That young lady was His Majesty's daughter, too, whether she knew it or not. Amy saw that. Amele saw that. Carmen did too. It reminded me what it looks like when a Believer's soul hangs on every Word He says, and I'm gripped again with what a life of faith looks like. Seas part, shadows flee, and mountains side step at the advance of His Majesty and His radiant Bride. All else is smoke and mirror to the unseen reality, pinning it all together. Lord, give me eyes to see, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even in telling you this story, my hands shake. I'm back in the States and The Rogers are again looking for a church to call home. We work. We eat. We tuck the kids in. We kiss each other goodnight, and we do it all over again. We worship in the car and we talk to the kids about Him. Show them who He is through our lives if we're lucky. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since getting home, my patience for American Celebrity Christianity diminishes further, leaving an aching to step out of the boat and meet my Beloved upon the water. I was reawakened to this world's need for His Majesty's people, and I was reminded of what they look like. His Bride is a marvel to behold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I beg the Lord for the opportunity to teach my children who He is, how to see Him, and how to labor on His behalf for His will to be done here as it is in Heaven. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm grateful for my time in Addis and for my Family there. More than that, I'm grateful for fresh wind and fresh fire for my family, and for each day that the Lord allows us to reshape for Him, and all the adventure that that entails.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-54682383012646995512015-08-17T04:10:00.000-07:002015-08-17T04:10:09.723-07:00A Family Adjusts, While Lives Are Changing...<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
It’s been almost four weeks since our last post. We’ve been super busy, and a lot has happened over the last, quick, four weeks. We are slowly, but surely, adjusting and adapting to our new environment. I’m not sure that we’ll ever totally get used to all the stares and looks when we are out and about. We certainly stand out! </div>
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MYM Ethiopia ministry is booming and going strong. Our second week here we had a VBS at the MYM Daycenter. A group of college students from International Evangelical Church put on the event for the week from 10-12:30 everyday. We had around 20 kids come to VBS everyday. Some of the kids were in the current cycle of boys at the center, some were Keeping Kids Home beneficiaries, and some were from the PLF (Placing Lonely in Families) home. The mornings would start with songs, and then break into four groups by age. There were crafts, songs, bible story, and games. I (Ryan) was in charge of games and had a blast just watching the kids have fun and interact. The week was a success as the kids learned of how Jesus is their protector, provider, and ultimately their rescuer. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craft time at VBS.</td></tr>
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A huge praise report on two of the three boys who just finished their six month cycle at the daycenter. Tadessa and Adugna were reunited with their families last week. These boys have made remarkable transformations, as both gave their lives to Jesus during their time at the day center. Please pray that the boys will stay home, and continue to grow in their relationship with the Lord. Pray that they can be lights in their families and communities. There is a third boy, Danny, that finished the cycle as well. There are currently no Ethiopian families who have stepped up to the call of starting another PLF home. With that being said, please pray for Danny. Pray that the family that God has for Danny will be burdened and step up to the call. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adugna, Tadessa, and Danny. </td></tr>
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A new cycle of street boys arrived at the MYM Daycenter last week. It is a large group of around 20 new boys ranging in age from 7-14. I was really surprised at their energy levels considering most are coming to us from a life of malnutrition and addiction. I have a really good feeling about this group of boys. I look forward to spending the next six months pouring into them and getting to know them. Its hard to believe that the boys that just finished their six months, looked and behaved the same as the 20 dirty, scraggly, wild boys that showed up to the center last week. It’s so exciting to dream of what these 20 boys are going to look like when the Lord is done with them six months from now. We feel so blessed and honored to have the privilege of being a part of their journeys. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new cycle of street boys at the daycenter. </td></tr>
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We held a Keeping Kids Home event this weekend (Fri/Sat) at the daycenter. Friday was just for the kids to come and learn about who holds the key to their hearts. This message was conveyed to the kids through teaching, games, crafts, and a sharing of testimony from MYM Director Carmen Post. The kids were sent home with a chain necklace with a key on it to remind them of what they learned that day. Some of the kids are from Muslim families, so please pray that we sent home with them not just a necklace, but also a seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. </div>
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On Saturday, the kids came back to the day center, but this time with their parents or grandparents. The Keeping Kids Home program is MYM Ethiopia’s model for orphan and street kid prevention. The beneficiaries are extremely poor and at very high risk of having to give up their kids either to the streets or an orphanage. Saturday was all about the kids and parents bonding and just having fun with each other. Life is very hard for these families just attempting to put food on the table and shelter over their heads. Opportunities for these families to interact and have fun with each other are few and far between. We had a morning full of fun games and snacks. There was a wet sponge toss, balloon pop battle, three-legged race, sack race, and wheelbarrow race. It was so awesome to watch the kids and their parents laughing, smiling, and just being silly for a change. I think a lot of times, the parents of these kids get a really bad, undeserved rap. The typical American way of looking at these parents is to conclude that they are lazy, cruel, and unloving parents. What we observed at the KKH Family Field Day was the absolute opposite of this stereotype. These parents love their kids and are doing the best that they know how to care and provide for their kids. Watching these families interact, I truly realized that they are no different than most more “privileged” parents around the world. They love their kids, and they want the best for them. We had an awesome duo of photographer and videographer from Charlotte with us last week. They took photos of most of the KKH families, and sponsorship opportunities should be coming soon, so stay tuned!</div>
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As far as our family goes, we have found out how tough it can be working here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We started our process of pursuing a work permit the week that we arrived. We did finally complete that process early this past week. We then immediately began our process for our residency cards at the Ethiopian Immigration office….NIGHTMARE!!! I arrived at the office at 8am with our manager Endale. We walked out at 3:30pm with mine and Courtney’s process complete, but Nara’s incomplete. For some reason, they wanted to see Nara’s Ethiopian birth certificate even though we had her U.S. Certificate of Citizenship. So much back and forth and hoops to jump through. When we asked the immigration officer why Nara’s application was not approved and what we needed to bring when we came back she said, “Leave this place.” I was ready to go off on her…but I didn’t. My tongue was probably bleeding from biting it so hard. We go back tomorrow to pick up Courtney and I’s cards and hopefully to finish Nara’s process. Please pray that it goes well, because Courtney and I are already dreading going back. </div>
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EVERYTHING here is a process. Don’t be fooled by Courtney and I’s Instagram and Facebook posts. You’re seeing our highlight reel. Victories can seem very few and far between. There can be many seemingly failures and valleys between the victories. Some may look at our social media posts and think, “Wow, they are just rocking it! It looks to be going smoothly.” There are times when we feel that way, but a lot of times we are just sloppily stumbling forward. Life and ministry here are very hard. However, when we look into the dirty faces of the street boys, and are graced by the smiles of the Keeping Kids Home families, its all worth it. Every discomfort, pain, tear, frustration, and failure disappear when we see the transforming work of Jesus Christ unfolding before our very eyes in the lives of the least of these. </div>
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We want to thank our financial and spiritual supporters from the bottom of our hearts. Though days can be hard and frustrating, we wake up every day thanking God for your generosity that allows us to be here, acting as His hands and feet in such a broken city. With that being said, we are still short of being fully funded. There are some potential circumstances coming up that could increase our budget needs. If you feel the Lord tugging at your heart to contribute financially to what He’s doing here, then please click <a href="https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=3179066BB0C740D" target="_blank">HERE</a> to begin your monthly contributions. Just make sure to designate your giving in the “Thomas Support” box. </div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;">Pray for Tadessa and Adugna to transition smoothly back in to their families and that they’ll go to Him rather than the streets when times get hard. </li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;">Pray for Danny’s future family that God has for him to step in and step up. </li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;">Pray that the Keeping Kids Home families remain encouraged and that the Muslim families will come to know Jesus as their Savior. </li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;">Pray for the new group of street boys that are starting their cycle this week at the daycenter. Pray that they will allow Jesus to mold them and transform them into new creations. </li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;">Pray for our family to continue to adjust to our new home and that our government requirements will soon be met and done. </li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-30334975873710813372015-07-23T11:13:00.000-07:002015-07-23T11:13:22.962-07:00We're Not In Kansas Anymore...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">View from the Ministry Department Office at the Day Center</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We made it friends. As I sit here and type, I can hear the call to prayer at a mosque in the distance…a reminder, as if we needed one, that we are not in Kansas anymore. The sights, sounds, and smells are all familiar, as this is not our first time in Addis, but no matter how many times you travel here, the culture shock sets in immediately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We arrived at Bole International Airport here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday around 7am where we were picked up by our good friend, and MYM founder/director, Trent Post. We loaded up our 23 pieces of luggage, yes…I said 23, and we headed off to our new home here in Addis. We feel extremely blessed to have the house that God allowed us to have. We actually have more room than we need, so maybe the Thomas family will expand in the future??? We are so blessed to have Jerri and her four year old daughter Enishu living here on our compound with us. It definitely helps to ease our anxiety knowing that we have an Ethiopian living with us who speaks the local language and can show us the ropes of living here in Addis. There have been numerous occasions already in our short time here that Jerri has brought over coffee (amazing roasted from scratch coffee) for Courtney and I. She is super sweet and a true blessing to us. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee thanks to Jerri</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We have felt so welcomed here between Carmen and Trent Post’s hospitality and everyone we have come in contact with for the most part. We have only been here five days, but it has been a very busy, yet productive, five days. A large amount of our time this week has been spent scavenger hunting for items we need to furnish and settle into our new home. Let me just tell you, this is no easy task! It takes much longer here in Addis to do everything…especially shopping. What we could have accomplished back in the states in maybe a good full day has taken us five days here, and there are still a few items left on the list. There is no Ikea, Walmart, or Target here. Certain items can only be found in specific areas of the city. Once you find the part of town that has the item you are looking for, you may have to visit 5, 6, 7, 8 stores to get a fair price or to find the exact item you’re looking for. Trent has been exceedingly gracious and helpful in driving us all over Addis to find the items we need. Bless you brother!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nara is adjusting exceptionally well. The first day here in our home we couldn’t find Nara, so Courtney walked over to Jerri’s room and there was Nara…squatting down on the floor stoking charcoal to help Jerri make some coffee. I am so envious of Nara’s ability to enter into basically any environment and to flourish and excel so quickly. She and Jerri’s daughter Enishu have become best buddies. It’s so cute to watch them try and communicate with each other. Enishu’s english is very limited as is Nara’s amharic. Enishu will just rant and spout out a long line of Amharic and Nara will look at her like she’s crazy and then laugh. However, this has not stopped them from having so much fun together. Its so encouraging to see Nara doing so well here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We did take a break from our house item hunting and unpacking one day this week to go see the MYM Ethiopia soccer team play one of their games. Boys from the MYM Day Center, PLF Home, and Keeping Kids Home families have formed a soccer team and they play organized games in the local area against local teams. Courtney, myself, and Nara certainly stood out amongst the spectators…we pretty much stand out everywhere we go, which is hard to get used to. The kids watching the game would linger close by where we were standing and by the end of the game we had quite a crowd of them around us. Several of the young boys spectating would come by and rub on my arm looking at my tattoos. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We’ve had the opportunity to check in and visit with the four boys at the PLF Home that whom we spent a lot of time with last summer. They all seem to be doing very well. Trent and I stopped by their house today to do some electrical work in their kitchen. I stepped outside the kitchen and all four boys were sitting on the ground with a plate of food in front of them, and had stopped to pray as brothers for the Lord to bless their meal. That is what its about my friends! I am excited to get started with the ministry side of things, but for now it has been nice to just be able to spectate a little and to get our feet wet a little at a time. There is no shortage of work to be done here, and I feel so honored and blessed to have been asked to join this fight to defend the defenseless alongside Trent and Carmen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We want to especially thank our financial partners who have made this whole adventure possible. Now that we are on the ground we can’t help but to be so thankful for the generosity of our partners who are giving. Everything around us is on account of your generosity…the house, the food, everything. We thank God for you all that you have decided to let Him use you in this way to fulfill his divine purposes and plans in Addis. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For now that is all, but I am sure as the next few weeks come and go, we will have more stories to tell and reports of victories to come. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are a few current prayer requests:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pray that we continue to adjust to our new environment and home. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pray that God will give me (Ryan) the vision that He has for MYM Ethiopia’s Ministry Dept.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pray that God will continue to lead us to the children and families that He would have us minister to. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pray for the hearts of those whom we will be coming in contact with in the weeks to come. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pray for many to decide to follow Jesus and that those whose hearts are guarded by the walls that Islam has built around them will crumble by the saving power of the Gospel. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lastly, pray that Courtney and I can learn the language quickly! This is one of our biggest hurdles in feeling effective in ministry here. </span></li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-86003751639891288672015-04-06T14:37:00.002-07:002015-04-06T14:37:16.675-07:00The In-Between<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So here's a quick update as to what's been going on with the Thomas Family. We put our house on the market and within six short weeks it was SOLD! Still can't believe it went so quickly! God is good! I thought it would bother me moving out and selling most of our stuff, but honestly I can see that God prepared my heart and it wasn't as hard as it could have been. We have moved in with my parents, into the bonus room over their garage for the time being, as we are still fundraising for our move, which we hope to make in June. We are currently almost to 40%!! YAY! We can leave at 70% and are trusting that God is continuing to work out the details. This has been His plan all along, and as it is difficult in the waiting, we are praying for His timing and that He would continue to send us the support we need. There has been much going on in Ethiopia with MYM finding out about a child predator who has been raping several of the street boys. They were able to get the police involved, and when the police went to this mans house they found 70 boys there and tons of the glue they huff. SO HEARTBREAKING! This gives us so much more urgency to be there. Ryan will be the Discipleship Coordinator there and will be working one on one with some of these boys and others who are in desperate need to know that they are known, cherished, valued and loved by our Heavenly Father. It is this same love that compels us to do whatever we need to do to help reach, rescue and restore lives. Of course we are not the hero's in this story. Jesus is and we want to be obedient to the burden He has placed on our hearts. With awareness brings opportunity and we are inviting you to join us on this journey of building His kingdom and seeing lives changed for eternity. </div>
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So this is the space we are now calling home. AKA my parents bonus room. My sweet Dad put a fresh new coat of paint on the walls for us, and the rest of the family moved things around to make room for us. It is a bit crowded with EIGHT of us living here, but we are so grateful. The hard part has been figuring out shower itineraries ha. We have stacks of crates in their garage that are currently being packed for our big move to Ethiopia. Its getting real y'all! Please pray as we prepare for this new chapter in our lives. If your heart is being tugged to be a part of MYM, we currently need more monthly supporters so we can get to 70%. Consistent monthly support is crucial as it helps us confidently plan ahead and keep us there for the long haul. You can simply click <a href="https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=3179066BB0C740D" target="_blank">here</a> and designate the giving amount/frequency that works best for you in the "Thomas Support" box. Thank you to all who have encouraged us along the way and for those supporting us already through prayer and giving. We cannot do this without you!!! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-33266349577164294532015-02-16T20:14:00.001-08:002015-02-17T06:22:42.228-08:00Your Treasure...A Sore Subject<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">What if a mere $10/month could assist these boys in getting off the streets?</span></b></td></tr>
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As many of you may know, Courtney and I officially listed our house on the market about two weeks ago. We've had tons of showings and two offers so far. Nothing has worked out yet, but we foresee our house being sold and us homeless in the next month or so.<br />
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We are so eager to get to Addis to begin our work with Make Your Mark Ethiopia. Things are starting to fall into place and we can see God all over the selling of our house. Once our house officially sales, we will basically have our bags packed and ready to head out to Ethiopia! However, there is one thing keeping us from doing that...monthly supporters. Or the lack thereof actually. Everything seems to be falling into place for our big move except for the commitments of monthly financial partners.<br />
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<b>We are currently at $1005/month or 22% (we can make the move @ 70%) of our needed monthly support. That $1005 consists of only 15 monthly partners...only 15!</b> We are extremely thankful for those 15 partners, as well as all of our one time gifts that have come in. We are currently at 55% of our needed $35,700 up front costs which is covered by your one-time gifts. We feel confident that we'll "easily" reach our up front costs with the proceeds from selling our home, belongings, and cars. However, like I said earlier, we'll have our bags packed, ready to go, but we won't be able to leave for Ethiopia because the monthly supporter funds won't be anywhere close to what we'll need to sustain us to stay there.<br />
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We'd be lying if we said we weren't disappointed in the current number of monthly financial partners. When we started the process of fundraising back in September, we had hoped to be around 50-60% funded by this point. We knew that fundraising would be difficult, but we never thought it would be this difficult or slow.<br />
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We've brainstormed and racked our brains trying to figure out the reason for the lack of giving and commitments to give monthly to the mission and calling that God's placed on our family. There are really three main reasons we believe people aren't jumping on board or waiting to jump on board.<br />
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<b>1) <i>"I'll wait until they actually move to make sure they are truly committed to going."</i></b><br />
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I don't really blame this group for their reasoning and logic. However, we are fully committed to this and are doing everything in our power to make the move to Ethiopia. Our hearts and minds are already in Addis. Our bodies just haven't caught up with them yet. We have a love and passion for the forgotten children and families of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that can only be pruned and cultivated by God. There is no reason to wait to begin giving monthly. In fact, the sooner you begin giving, the better we are able to plan and set a date in stone to make the move.<br />
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<b><i>2) "I don't have $40, $50, $100 etc. to give every month."</i></b><br />
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This may be absolutely true. However, we graciously and appreciatively accept all monthly commitments. You would be surprised at the dent it would make in our monthly needs if we had an army of people giving at $5 or even $10/month. <b>If 220 individuals would decide to sacrifice $10/month, we would be 70% funded and could make the move to Ethiopia.</b> We know that between the two of us, we have well above 220 individuals who are a part of our lives, whether it be family, friends, or church family. With that being said, don't be ashamed of your current ability to give. <b>We want you to experience the joy of giving whether it's $5/month or $500/month! </b><br />
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<b><i>3) "My monthly contribution wouldn't really make a difference."</i></b><br />
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This my friends is a lie from the enemy! We witnessed the difference that monthly giving is making in the lives of street children and the poorest of the poor families in Addis. Street boys are stepping from death into life. Street boys are going to school for possibly the first time in their lives and excelling! Street boys are finding a safe place to find dignity, love, and the Gospel. Children of desperate families are able to go to school without being a financial burden to their parents. Muslim families are experiencing the love, grace, hope, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ through the programs of Make Your Mark Ethiopia. Y<b>our monthly support would make a bigger difference in the lives of the least of these more than you could probably realize...no matter how big or small the amount! </b>It takes the generosity of us all to make this happen...not just the generosity of the few "privileged"or spiritual "elite".<br />
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<b>The heart of the matter is that this is a matter of the heart. </b><br />
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It boils down to where your heart is.<br />
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Matthew 6:21 reads, <b><i>"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."</i></b><br />
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I have to challenge you to ponder...<b>where do you find your treasure in this life?</b><br />
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Do you find it in your salary? Your home? The latest and greatest iPhone? Your daily cup of Starbucks? Your Netflix subscription? Your 401k? Your bank account?<br />
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Or...just maybe...do you recognize that the treasure in this short lifetime is found in serving others and leading them from death in sin to eternal life in Jesus Christ?<br />
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Do you realize that our <b>treasure or our money's true power to unlock unspeakable joy is actually in giving it away, rather than storing it up in the attempt to build our own kingdom here on earth</b>?<br />
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So imagine with me for a second, what giving up that one $5 cup of Starbucks a month could do.<br />
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It could help bring a boy off of the dirty streets of Addis so that boy no longer has to endure constant harassment and beatings from police.<br />
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It could prevent this child from having to endure nightly sexual assaults from sexual predators.<br />
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<b>Can a mere $5 make any difference at all? </b><br />
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I say yes.<br />
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<b>Would you miss that $5 or $10 a month?</b><br />
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Absolutely not.<br />
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If you are reading this, <b>I challenge you</b> to click the link below and set your giving up at $5 or $10 a month. At least start at that amount. See what the Lord does in your heart as money's hold on your life begins to dissipate. I pray that He does a great work in your life as you learn that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.<br />
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<b>You can set up your monthly giving <a href="https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=3179066BB0C740D" target="_blank">HERE!</a> Make sure to designate your giving in the "Thomas Support" box. </b><br />
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<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>"Be concerned for the poor</b> – but be no less concerned for us rich who
claim not to be rich so we can excuse ourselves from giving.</i><br />
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<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><b>Be concerned for the poor</b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> – but no less concerned for us who have
done just enough to assuage our consciences, just enough to pat ourselves on
the back, but not enough that we’ve ever felt sacrifice. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><b>Be concerned for the poor</b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> – but be no less concerned for us who
aren’t — because someday we will face Christ.</span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><i>We’re all hungry
for uncomfortable because we’re hungry for God – and He is outside of our
comfort zones." ~ Ann Voskamp</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-54650752583022464712015-01-21T18:30:00.000-08:002015-01-22T17:42:23.149-08:00What's It Worth To You?It's been awhile since I've blogged. I thought I would give everyone an update on where we are currently with our fundraising efforts, as well as what our financial needs are exactly.<br />
<br />
First off, our family would like to thank everyone who has given up to this point whether it be spiritually in prayer or financially through donations and partnership. We had a hugely successful womanless pageant fundraiser at our church, Mission Baptist, over the weekend, and we are so grateful for the turnout. The show of support and the outpouring of giving at this event has encouraged us even further and we are so thankful for that. It looks like the total amount raised at the pageant is <b>$8718.00</b>!<br />
<br />
There is an urgency in our fundraising. We plan to make the move by at least June 2015. There may be some that are curious as to what our exact financial needs are so let's cover that.<br />
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We have basically two types of financial need and they are:<br />
<br />
<b>1) Up Front Costs-</b> These funds are to get us to Ethiopia and to get us established once we get there. This amount will include one way airfare for our family, a car, one year's rent, and furniture. The estimated total for this particular need is <b>$35,700. We are currently at $17,500 or 49%.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>All one-time gifts will go into this fund until we reach the $35,700</b>. Once this amount is reached, the funds will begin to spill over into our annual operating budget.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2) Annual Operating Budget- </b>These funds will be used to sustain our family on a monthly basis, as well as to sustain and operate the MYM ministry department, which I will be heading up. These funds will cover our annual trip home, language school for myself and Courtney, medical insurance, car insurance, car expenses, food, rent, home school materials, an emergency fund, and utilities. It also includes the entire MYM ministry department's operating budget which accounts for <b>$6,600</b> of the total, which will also hire two additional Ethiopian staff members for the department. The total annual operating budget is <b>$55,224. </b>This breaks down to<b> $4600/month</b>. <b>We are currently at $895/month in monthly partners which is approximately 19.5% of where we need to be. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>All funds from MONTHLY financial partners will count towards our Annual Operating Budget. THIS IS OUR GREATEST NEED! Once we move to Ethiopia, one-time gifts will also go towards this budget. </b><br />
<br />
When you are able to commit to giving monthly, we can count on those funds. We can plan and focus on ministry without worrying about where the next month's/year's budget money will come from. This allows us to focus on the MINISTRY, which is why we're going to be there, rather than constant fundraising.<br />
<br />
These amounts may seem really high to some of you. I've even had a few people respond to me when telling them our needs by saying, "Are you serious?!! It costs that much to live in a third world country?!" Well, quite simply the answer is.....yes. Items that we consider basic or expected here in the States are considered luxuries in Ethiopia. Being a luxury, they are also usually imported and therefore they cost way more. This is especially true with cars, appliances, electronics, and certain food items.<br />
<br />
We pray that if you're on the fence about partnering with us financially that you'll take a leap of faith and go for it! Courtney and I would never ask you to do something that we would not be willing to do or that we're not already doing. We are in the process of selling our home, and before we leave out, will sell basically everything we own. We tithe, give to different organizations, and sponsor two children in third world countries. Not once have we missed that money. This is the one area that God tells us to test Him in.<br />
<br />
<b>"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." Malachi 3:10</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
We have seen first hand that the MYM ministry model works. The lives of street boys are being transformed, and they are finding new life, salvation in Jesus Christ. Boys are being reunited with families that have counted them as dead or lost and they haven't seen in years. Families are finding dignity and community and are no longer at risk of giving up their children due to extreme poverty. This is the result of people like you who believe in what God is doing through Make Your Mark in Ethiopia. They believe in it enough that they sacrifice part of their finances. Do you believe that these transformed lives are worth the sacrifice?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=3179066BB0C740D" target="_blank">Set up your giving here</a>, designate your funds beside of "Thomas Support".<br />
<br />
<b>"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b><br /></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-61686091047657555502014-11-24T18:02:00.000-08:002014-11-24T18:08:55.743-08:00If God Originated It, He Will Orchestrate It...#preachinggospeltomyselfThe past two weeks at church we've talked about finances. It was a reminder of what I have seen God do personally in our lives the past two years and how God always supplies our needs. Not all my wants, but always my needs. I want to share, not to bring any glory to Ryan and I, but to share how great our God is. When Ryan and I decided to adopt we had no idea how we would pay for it, but each time when needed to send in the next payment, the money was always there. When we try and look back at our finances it makes no sense how we were able adopt with no debt and still have money in savings. Ryan even felt led to start tithing during this time and we never did without.<br />
<br />
Back in February we felt God calling us to full time missions in Ethiopia. After much prayer Ryan and I both felt we should do a trial trip this Summer and the Post family agreed that this would be a great idea to see the ministry first hand and make sure this was our fit. One night we emailed Trent and Carmen and told them we were planning to do a month long trip sometime this Summer. As soon as we sent the email Ryan and I both looked at each other and said, how are we ever gonna pay for this? We had just spent thousands of dollars traveling last year to Ethiopia twice and here we were planning a third trip that would cost us $6,000 just in airfare. We both decided that since this was a trial trip we wouldn't fundraise or tell anyone we needed money. We trusted that if God wanted us there He would get us there. Two days later I went to the mailbox and there was a letter from our adoption agency reimbursing us $500 for submitting our home study early. About a week later I retrieved the mail and there were two more checks. One where we had over paid on our Escrow and another bill that I had accidentally paid twice! Then a client of mine left me a very nice unexpected tip. I was amazed how in one week God showed up in such a big way! This year was also the first time we could apply for our adoption tax credit. With the money we'd already received, plus the money from getting our tax money back we had almost exactly the amount we needed to purchase our plane tickets! <b>You cannot make this stuff up!!</b> God provided the $6000 in two months that we needed.<br />
<br />
Now I'm not saying that if you give or tithe that God will pour a bunch of money in your bank account. The whole prosperity gospel thing is crap. We've had to change our life style a bit, but I've never regretted it. I've seen first hand that you gain a joy and peace that far outweighs anything materially you could ever want. So why am I sharing all this...I am amazed at how detailed and personal our God is and I needed to write this to remind myself of how I need to trust him with all the details of my life. I like to be in control and have a plan. I can see how I daily need to surrender and trust my Father knowing that He's got this. He is constantly at work and His fingerprints are all over the journey when I look back. So I keep moving forward with just enough light for the step I'm on, knowing that He goes before me. I keep going back to this quote from Andy Stanly at Catalyst...<b>"If God originated it, He will orchestrate it." </b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-30311475505769385092014-11-01T14:51:00.002-07:002014-11-01T14:51:30.055-07:00Orphan Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The month of November looks like it's going to be a good one as we currently have three speaking engagements lined up so far!!! Tomorrow, which is Orphan Sunday, we will be sharing our adoption story and about orphan care at Euto Baptist. On November 9th we will be at our home church. Feel free to join us at either of our campuses. Mission Baptist Church at 8:30am or at Mission @ Stanfield at 10:00am! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Many keep asking us when we are moving to Ethiopia and well...honestly, we're partly waiting on YOU! ;) Once we reach a certain percentage of support we will nail down a departure date but until the funds start coming in, it's hard to do that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are very excited to celebrate our first monthly supporter as well as a generous one time gift during the month of October! Thank to you all for your encouragement, prayers, sacrifice and support. This isn't possible without you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not sure what this is all about or who <a href="http://www.mymministries.org/" target="_blank">Make Your Mark</a> is? Check out our Make Your Mark tab at the top of this blog on the home page. Or better yet...we'd love to sit down over dinner, share with your small group or your church about how this ministry is empowering street boys and families in Ethiopia while sharing the love of Christ. </span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-29203662360942646482014-09-25T18:02:00.000-07:002014-09-25T18:02:51.294-07:00How does the Thomas Family fit into the Make Your Mark Ethiopia puzzle and how can you help?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-GzpbnNWCEoMcKYPjdPVfDx8Fo8hFZ_5nq87kD22tl26D8h8pfd1enNmd210f6bCkR3cuBu1oFeNQtJyXqrPw4dce9yLuu1U1888QFJ0PtXZwlBrMPOvoooB9ztNQXyWksCqHsMqUsF0/s1600/IMG_4270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-GzpbnNWCEoMcKYPjdPVfDx8Fo8hFZ_5nq87kD22tl26D8h8pfd1enNmd210f6bCkR3cuBu1oFeNQtJyXqrPw4dce9yLuu1U1888QFJ0PtXZwlBrMPOvoooB9ztNQXyWksCqHsMqUsF0/s1600/IMG_4270.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my last post I took some time to fill everyone in on some of our experiences from our three week trial trip with Make Your Mark in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After several weeks we've been asked a couple questions numerous times...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1) Who is Make Your Mark ministries?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">and...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2) What will you guys be doing when you move there?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll try my best to answer both questions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So who is Make Your Mark Ethiopia? Here is the organization's mission and vision statements:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="underline" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="bold" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mission Statement</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3em;">: "We are the relationship in the lives of at-risk youth and their families, to provide the resources, encouragement and LOVE that will lead them into their full redemptive potential.</span></span></div>
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<span class="font_9" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span class="underline" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="bold" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Vision</span></span>: To empower street and abused children through education, counsel, encouragement and a relationship with Jesus Christ. Using these tools we will prepare children to be adopted locally. We will train and equip local families to adopt, as this is what must take place in order to make a drastic impact in the street kid/orphan population.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Make Your Mark Ethiopia exists to act as a voice for the voiceless street children and at-risk youth of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Not only do they work with the actual street children, but they also work with the families of children who are at high risk of being abandoned to the streets or given up for adoption by their family because of their extreme poverty. No family should have to make the decision to relinquish the child whom they love based on poverty alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Here are the current ways and capacities in which Make Your Mark Ethiopia is engaging the local street kid and at-risk youth population:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Day Center- Make Your Mark House</strong><br style="font-size: 15px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px;">This is a safe place where the street children can bathe, wash their clothes, eat healthy lunch, get biblical teaching, some basic education, games, some counseling and any minor medical issue they may have. This first step will act as a filtering process for us to see who really wants to change their lives because many say they want off the streets, but as we’ve found out many don’t want to put in the work to stay off the streets. Those who show consistent desire to come off the streets by their daily efforts; we invite them to the next step:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Transformation Home- Rehabilitation.</span><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">The ones we’ve evaluated and feel really want to change and get off the streets we bring in to these homes. In this home they stay for 1-2 years depending on progress shown. Our purpose and goals in the homes will be to teach them how a family functions. We teach them responsibility, they begin to going to school, dig deep with intense counseling, do a lot of role playing for family situations; for our goal is to have them prepared for a family. The Homes are not a place to live as the final step for each child is being placed in a local family. There is a need for house sponsorship and the cost is around $525 a month.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Domestic Adoption (Adopted by Ethiopian Family)</span><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">We are currently working with the local church and other NGO’s to train and equip Ethiopian families in adoption. This is a new idea to this culture, but we are highly encouraged as God is having us meet families that have this desire. We are working towards having a yearly national adoption conference here to bring awareness and action. Why domestic??? Let’s look at the Ethiopia orphan crisis, as we said above there are 5.5 million orphans in Ethiopia. It would take 125 million USD and 2500 years for international adoption to be the solution. There are 80 million people in Ethiopia; if only 6.5% of the population would take in a child, there wouldn't be any orphans in Ethiopia, this has to be taught and this is what we’re teaching.</span></div>
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<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keeping Kids Home Initiative</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our street kid prevention plan is coming alongside the poorest of the poor families to provide the needed resources to keep their children at home and not in the streets. At first we build relationship by providing some food assistance and full educational needs for the child. Our long term goal for each family is provide specific training to the parents in order to generate more income, in turn becoming self-sustaining. We also provide family consul and teach God-centered family values to strengthen the family’s core.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As you can see, Make Your Mark Ethiopia attacks the street kid and orphan problem in Addis from all angles...there is care for existing street children, but there is also street kid and orphan prevention through the Keeping Kids Home Initiative. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>So where does the Thomas Family fit in with all of this? What will be doing once we move to Addis?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Well as some of you may know, I (Ryan) recently graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px;">Religious</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> Studies. Trent and Carmen Post of Make Your Mark Ethiopia </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px;">approached</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> me a couple months before my </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px;">graduating with a </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">proposal...to move to Ethiopia to head up the ministry department of Make Your Mark ministries in Ethiopia!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>My role would include:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- Biblical teaching and curriculum for the street boys who come daily to the Day Center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- One on one counseling with the boys who utilize the Day Center. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- Training and encouraging the Make Your Mark Ethiopia staff (caregivers, social worker, manager, accountants, etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- Working alongside a local evangelist and secretary for the ministry department. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- Networking and connecting the local churches to Make Your Mark Ethiopia's ministries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- Training and facilitating small groups with the Keeping Kids Home families. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- General pastoral care concerning all facets of Make Your Mark Ethiopia's network of ministries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Courtney's roles:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- Homeschooling for Nara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- Coming alongside me and assisting in all the ministry areas mentioned above. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">- Possibly taking in Ethiopian children and serving as a Transformation Home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">Without saying, there is much work to be done in Addis. This work requires lots of prayer/spiritual support and of course...financial support. I can honestly say that raising the financial support for our family is what I've dreaded the most about this whole life change. Not that I'm not willing to put in the hard work that is fundraising, but I just truly don't like the thought of asking people for money, ha. But in order for our family to fulfill the calling that we know that God has on our lives and family, it will take the support of many to help us serve the least of these in Christ's name. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>How can you help?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">We just got word today that our family's fund has been added to the Make Your Mark Ethiopia giving page. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">You can access this giving page by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.mymministries.org/#!ourteam/cyg" style="font-size: 15px;" target="_blank">Make Your Mark Giving Page</a><span style="font-size: 15px;">. Go to the bottom of this page and click the "Secure Giving Page" banner. Fill in the amount beside "Thomas Support". You can then select the frequency of your donation...one time, weekly, bi-weekly, 1st and 15th of the month, or monthly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">We would love to come to your church, small group, or business to share our passion and the vision for Make Your Mark Ethiopia. We'd even love to sit down for a meal with you to do this as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">You can contact us @ 704-506-8212 or email @ rydog4041@hotmail.com</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-26913091753322589422014-09-02T09:33:00.003-07:002014-09-02T10:13:31.143-07:00"Jesus just told me something guys"...What Nara thought about our trip.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Going into our trip one of our biggest concerns would be how Nara would do being back in Ethiopia so soon. Many of you asked, so I'm gonna share a bit about our trip from Nara's perspective. She was super pumped about flying and requested to sit in the window seat of the plane. During take off and landing she had her face glued to the window and excitedly kept pointing and showing me the clouds. We definitely have a travel lover on our hands. Almost a day later we finally arrived in Ethiopia. From the get go everything seemed to feel familiar to Nara in a good way and not a bad way like we had feared it might. The first few days at the day center she acted a bit stand offish and was really taking things in. I'm sure the street boys smell, clothing and the building may have reminded her of some past memories. However it didn't take her long and after a few days was joining in on the fun at the day center and picking around and playing with them. The most exciting day we had there was when we witnessed three of the boys moving off the street and into a Transformation home with their new house parents. The boys were overjoyed as they saw their beds and clothes. We were going to have them burn their old street clothes but the rain was too much. They threw them over a steep cliff instead symbolizing leaving their old life behind. The perfect visible representation of the old life being gone and how Jesus washes us and makes us new, giving us new life! We then gathered around the boys as Mr. Kramer led a prayer. He prayed Ephesians 3:20 over the boys and I couldn't help but stand there with tears streaming down my face. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we could ask or imagine because His power that is at work within us." This verse has continually kept resurfacing over and over again during this past year. Before I left for this trip the girls at work asked me what my favorite verse was. I told them that I had many but for some reason Ephesians 3:20 had been one I'd pondered over a lot lately. My coworkers later surprised me with a handmade sign with the verse written on the back and messages of encouragement. Praying this prayer daily now and that God would do more in Ethiopia than I could ever imagine and also in my own life. Not because of my own strength and power. That won't get me far at all...but because of HIS power that is at work within me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STREET BOYS NO MORE...</td></tr>
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Ok so getting back to my story...Trent was driving us home that night and as we pulled away from the transformation home, out of the blue Nara says, "I hope someone takes those other boys home." She was talking about the other boys, our newest friends at the day center who would still be sleeping on the streets that night. Then we asked her what we should do about that? What's your strategy? She replied, "we should just go in the street and look for them." She gets so much to be so young. Better than most adults do. We thank God for her heart for the hurting and the orphan. The next day we were having a family day and Ryan and I are discussing our feelings over moving to Ethiopia. Again, out of nowhere, Nara says, "Agghh, just quit talking about it." We told her it was important and and kept talking. Nara stops us again and says, "Jesus just told me something guys." We asked her what and she replied, "Jesus told me that we are 'posed to move here." Jokingly we asked her how He told her that and she replied, "Cause He lives in my heart." Duh, right? We told her we should pray about the decision and she volunteered to pray. She prayed, "Dear Jesus, thank you for mommy and daddy. Thank you we have fun today. Help us if we move here. Amen." Nara's depth of understanding amazes us daily. Child-like faith. We are praising Him for already whispering truth and His love into her little heart and preparing her for the days ahead. A trip that we thought may cause her to be confused or mistrust actually did the opposite. Since we brought Nara home last year we have had trouble getting her to sleep in her bed all night. She usually would wake up and feel the need to come check and make sure we were in our beds and that she hadn't been left alone. On our trip the three of us had to sleep in a bed together. I always swore I would never let her get used to sleeping with us and felt she would certainly be ruined after three weeks of this. Since we have been home from our trip she has slept in her bed every night! Our trip was like a trust exercise. She sees that no matter what we are a family. Whether we are here in the states or traveling halfway around the world to Ethiopia. She even said herself a few weeks ago, "Daddy, I love you no matter what and we are gonna be together forever. Me, you and Mommy." She's got that right ;)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NARA AND I WITH OUR FRIEND AMY WHO IS ON STAFF AT THE DAY CENTER</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxShBUeY1R01nYWEthbp1mdlH6aSKxcxFNb7GMor-nRfbHOaYX7pwV7PD5VTUImO0HOXYugn_fhKhw2dsq7O5UCONRcg4RQJf_PsduEkZdQQ1DbCn__g8ZmSZosoefTkNb3_qdrz7VKh5/s1600/DSC_3417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxShBUeY1R01nYWEthbp1mdlH6aSKxcxFNb7GMor-nRfbHOaYX7pwV7PD5VTUImO0HOXYugn_fhKhw2dsq7O5UCONRcg4RQJf_PsduEkZdQQ1DbCn__g8ZmSZosoefTkNb3_qdrz7VKh5/s1600/DSC_3417.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-78580298397408153402014-08-28T19:02:00.000-07:002014-08-28T19:02:00.447-07:00ObedienceWe've almost been home from our 3-week confirmation trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for almost two weeks now. We had hoped to post and update more while we were on our trip, but due to our poor internet speed we were unable to do so. I'm going to try my best to hit all the highlights of our time there in this blog post...try.<br />
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For those who are new to this blog or haven't heard, I (Ryan) was approached by Trent and Carmen Post of MYM Ministries Ethiopia about heading up their Ministry Department on the ground in Ethiopia. We decided to go on a 3-week "confirmation" trip to see the ministry first hand and to see how our daughter Nara, adopted from Ethiopia, would do being back in the city from which she was born and raised on the streets.<br />
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When we arrived in Addis, Trent Post (<a href="http://www.mymministries.org/#!cvcvvg/mainPage" target="_blank">Make Your Mark Ethiopia</a>) picked us up from the airport and drove us to what would be our home for the next 3 weeks. He dropped us off at the house to freshen up so he could pick us back up later. At the time he dropped us off, the house had no power, no hot water, and we learned that a "stranger" would be staying at the house with us. The enemy immediately began to attack our minds..."You can't do this....You're not cut out for this...You're nowhere near qualified for this..." I can remember sitting there in the living room of the house watching Courtney and Nara sleep on the futon thinking to myself, "What are we going to tell everyone back home? What reason are we going to give them for not being able to do this?"<br />
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However, after a few days of visiting the <a href="http://www.mymministries.org/#!what-we-do/c21kh" target="_blank">MYM Day Center</a> and spending time with the 12-15 boys from the streets of Addis...the thoughts invading my mind from the enemy began to be replaced with, "These boys need us....There is so much work to be done here...No kid should have to live on the street....No kid should grow up without being loved by a family." Courtney actually got to sit in on some counseling sessions with some of the boys and she heard heartbreaking story after story. One boy had a Muslim mother who had walked out to "work" in an Arab country and never came back leaving his dad unable to provide for him and his two sisters. One boy was a double orphan who had never had a family. One boy worked jobs in the streets to help support his blind beggar father. These boys carry burdens and stories that no youth should have to bear at such a young fragile age. One boy was asked why he and all of his buddies huddle up and sleep together on the streets at night. Besides just to keep warm, the boy said that they are like family and they protect each other. Many of them had been sexually abused or had men attempt to rape them on the streets. They also shared that these men go after the newest, youngest, most scared boys.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out on one of our last days with the boys at the MYM Day Center.<br /></td></tr>
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Their stories became so real to us after spending a couple hours late one night on the streets in an area riddled with street boys. MYM Ethiopia calls this their "Night Lights" street ministry. This is where initial contact is made with the street boys to begin relationships and hopefully to recruit boys for the Day Center. We got prayed up in the car before getting out of the car, all of us wearing our hoodies to blend in on the street. The area we were in was from what I could tell a "Red Light" district sort of area if you will. Bar after bar lining the streets, drunken people stumbling around, loud music, prostitutes lining the sidewalks on both sides of the streets, and street boys....lots of them.<br />
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We walked up on a group of about 10 boys and some of them recognized Trent and Belay from previous trips out on the streets. The boys were visibly extremely stoned. Most of the boys ranged in age from 7-14 at my best guess and some were so high that they could barely talk. The boys carry around water bottles stuffed up their shirt sleeves, filled with strong shoe glue or gas. They continuously huff these fumes to numb themselves from the cold and also the reality of the situation that they find themselves in. Some of them just looked plan terrified. My eyes would almost water from the sting of the fumes every time I would shake the boys hands or hug them. We passed one young boy, probably around nine years old, who was walking by himself. We stopped him to say hello and get to know him. Trent and Belay were speaking to him in Amharic so I didn't know what they were saying. I watched the boys face as they talked to him and I saw tears begin to roll down his scared face. We got the boys info to schedule a follow up and walked away. I asked Trent why he was crying and Trent said he had asked him about his family. His mom had passed away and his dad basically told him to "Go get hit by a car and die".<br />
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Every time police officers would walk by, the boys would scamper and shudder in fear. The police treat the boys as if they were filth...they beat them with billy sticks....some say that they've even been knocked out by the officers and taken off to the forest in hopes that hyenas would eat them. We noticed that one of the boys from the Day Center ran very strangely and couldn't keep up one day when we went for a run in the forest. He said that when he was younger, the officers had beaten both of his legs and broken both of his knees. Our group got acquainted with these officers. Amy, one of the Ethiopian caregivers at the MYM Day Center, held out her hand to block the billy stick of an officer that was aimed at a street boy and her hand got smashed pretty hard. The boy was visibly mentally challenged and walking around holding a little kitten. The officer just identified him as "filthy street scum" and fired off with his billy stick. Trent, Belay, and myself were actually escorted by the police to the police station because we didn't have i.d. to show them. The officers hate the street kids and we explained the best we could that we were on the same team...that we want to get the boys off the streets just as badly as they do, but obviously in a much more Christ-like manner! I think I've watched too many episodes of <i>Locked Up Abroad</i> because as I sat there in the questioning room I began to think "I"m really going to spend the night in here." But, the officers let us go as we promised to never come back without identification paper work.<br />
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I mentioned earlier that there were prostitutes lining both sides of the streets. These girls didn't look like the girls from the movies or what you envision prostitutes looking like. Some of them looked to be as young as 13 years old. Most looked like they had walked there from fixing what little meal they had to feed their children. The girls in our group felt led by the Spirit to talk and pray with one of these girls. She had two very young children and was selling herself, very cheaply I might add, just to put food on the table. When us guys would walk by the girls they would yell out to us, "Come...Come with me...5 birr." Their going price for a "good time" was the equivalent of 25 cents US.<br />
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Experience after experience and story after story, and our hearts were continually broken for the many hopeless of Ethiopia. So many without a voice...so young...so much potential that for many would never be harnessed or brought to fruition.<br />
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So...I mentioned that this trip would serve as a confirmation trip for the calling that we felt God had on our family to move to Ethiopia to partner with MYM Ethiopia. You're probably wondering if we've made a decision.<br />
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Well....WE'RE IN! We simply cannot come back from our experiences and turn a blind eye to the boys we met and the things we saw. There is much work to be done in Addis and the workers are few. We truly feel that God is calling our family to live in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to serve the forgotten, the hopeless, and the boys of the street in Christ's name. We were truly impressed with MYM Ethiopia's ministry style and approach during our time there. It is without a doubt an organization that we can be passionate about and commit to 100%. We know that the calling on our family is from God because our time there was not sugar coated...it was hard. However, as our new friend Jessie Benkert said while we were there, "Its only a love for the people and a purpose that will sustain you here and keep you here." There's really no other reason to put yourself through such tough living otherwise. During our time there, an even deeper love for the people and children of Ethiopia was cultivated...a love that we miss, crave, and feel our souls being tugged back towards.<br />
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So, what's next? Now the hard part begins...support and fundraising. We aim to make the big move around a year from now...sooner if possible. Trent is working on some numbers for a budget and upfront costs so I will post those as soon as we have them. Please begin to pray for our family if you haven't been already. Pray that our hearts and minds will be guarded from the ploys of the enemy. Pray that our hearts will be prepared for the longevity, strength, and courage that will be required in the months to come. Also, begin to pray about how you can get involved in the work. Is it through prayer? A one-time gift? Monthly support? That's between you and God and we truly appreciate any support that you can shoot our way whether it be spiritually or financially.<br />
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There is a poem called "Obedience" by George MacDonald that has been planted by God into mine and Courtney's hearts. I've had the poem open on my iPhone for about 4 months now and Courtney recently realized that she had written it down in her prayer journal over 10 years ago. I think it is no coincidence.<br />
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<b>Obedience<br /><span style="font-size: large;">By George MacDonald<br />(1824-1905)</span></b></div>
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I said: “Let me walk in the fields.”<br />He said: “No, walk in the town.”<br />I said: “There are no flowers there.”<br />He said: “No flowers, but a crown.”</div>
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I said: “But the skies are black;<br />There is nothing but noise and din.”<br />And He wept as He sent me back –<br />“There is more,” He said; “there is sin.”</div>
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I said: “But the air is thick,<br />And fogs are veiling the sun.”<br />He answered: “Yet souls are sick,<br />And souls in the dark undone!”</div>
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I said: “I shall miss the light,<br />And friends will miss me, they say.”<br />He answered: “Choose tonight<br />If I am to miss you or they.”</div>
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I pleaded for time to be given.<br />He said: “Is it hard to decide?<br />It will not seem so hard in heaven<br />To have followed the steps of your Guide.”</div>
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I cast one look at the fields,<br />Then set my face to the town;<br />He said, “My child, do you yield?<br />Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”</div>
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Then into His hand went mine;<br />And into my heart came He;<br />And I walk in a light divine,<br />The path I had feared to see.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-46001201010448779332014-05-02T14:23:00.003-07:002014-05-02T14:25:53.592-07:00One Year Ago Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can't believe it's already been a year since we finally landed home with our Nara!</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">So thankful for our wonderful </span><a href="http://www.connectionphotoblog.com/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">photographer</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><a href="http://grainandcompass.com/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">videographer</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> friends who offered to come to the airport and capture such a special moment for our family! We are forever grateful. </span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/65506762" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/65506762">Courtney + Ryan Bring Nara Home</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/grainandcompass">Grain & Compass</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-20431026507494542242014-03-02T18:16:00.003-08:002014-03-02T18:24:32.406-08:00What Took You So Long?<span style="font-family: inherit;">With Tuesday being the day to "Shine a light on human slavery" I couldn't help but think about my daughter Nara. She could have so easily been a victim to such and I thank God everyday for watching over her. There are many details to Nara's past that I'm not going to mention here because that is her story to tell one day if she so chooses. I will however mention an incident which opened my eyes to some of the brokeness she has dealt with in her short life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in November, I began pulling Christmas decorations down out of the attic. Nara was so excited and wanted to help. As she began digging into one of the boxes she found a picture of herself in a Christmas frame from the year before. It was the first picture we ever received of Nara from her referral. We loved looking at it during the holidays as we prayed and waited until the day we could go get her. Nara and I began talking about how cute she was in this picture and how much she had grown. Her hair was noticeably shorter in this picture and I asked her if they buzzed it off at the AWAA Transition Home or the orphange. (They do this often for sanitary reasons). With just the mentioning of the orphanage, Nara's demeanor immediately changed. At the age of two she was taken to a government orphanage. Ryan and I were able to visit it on one of our trips last year. The place reminded me of a prison. Cement floors, metal beds, no color on the walls. We saw babies two to a crib and most of them not even making a sound. I guess because they knew if they cried no one would come to pick them up anyway. Nara was at this particular orphanage for about 8 months while her case was being investigated and to see if someone would come for her. With just the mention of Nara's haircut and the orphanage she immediately got very upset and said "Mommy, I don't want to talk about it." I gathered her in my arms and told her that was fine if she didn't want to talk about it but proceeded to ask her if the orphanage was a scary place. She buried her head in my chest and started crying as she muttered "yes" under her breath. I held her tightly as tears streamed down her face when she looked me dead in the eyes and said in desperation, "Mommy, why didn't you come and get me?" Tears immediately filled my eyes and began rolling down my cheeks. How could I explain to a four year old why it took so long for someone to come for her. Why for so long no one was there to kiss her boo boo's or hold her when she was scared. Why no one was there to laugh with her or wipe away her tears. I sat there silent not even knowing quite what to say. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I am so thankful that God is healing her heart and I am completely blown away each day at how well she has transitioned. I am so thankful that she now looks to us as someone who will be there </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for her, which I think is why she asked us why we didn't come for her sooner. I am so thankful that we said yes to adoption. I don't want to even think about what life could have been like for her if we hadn't. </span></div>
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It's only by <b>amazing</b> grace you were born where you were-</div>
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<b>to be amazing grace</b></div>
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for <b>someone else</b></div>
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born <b>somewhere else. </b></div>
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-Ann Voskamp</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What breaks my heart is thinking about how many other children are out there asking the same thing. Who is coming to get me? Does anyone love me or even care about me? Many question how we can even make that much of a difference when there are so many men, women and children living in despair. Orphans, the poor, those being held victim to human trafficking. It can be overwhelming but we can't let it keep us from doing something. We can start with one person at a time. </span>Not everyone is called to adopt, but we can all do something. Some suggestions may be to help another family who is adopting, sponsor a child, support an organization you are passionate about or check out A21 Campaign and see what they are doing around the world to abolish human trafficking in the 21st century. Mentor someone or be more intentional to seek out those who are broken and need a friend. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do for one what you wish you could do for all - Andy Stanley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. - Katie Davis </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your greatest gift to the kingdom of God may not the big things you do but the people you love. <b><i>One at a time. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">T<b>he Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. - Isaiah 61:1</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-3375444331006593492014-02-24T06:31:00.000-08:002014-02-25T05:48:15.095-08:00Playing it safe...or daring to risk?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you ever feel like God is calling you deeper? Maybe He has purposes for your life but your scared or feel intimidated to pursue a dream or something you feel He has placed on your heart. I know I do. Everyday. I am just an ordinary, timid girl without a fancy title or degree. I came across an old journal last week and found pages I had written after returning from South Africa. I was so burdened to do something but felt so unqualified. In my journal I wrote that I felt I should just do God a favor, step aside and let someone else serve in my place who would be better qualified. Who was I think I could accomplish very much. And you know what....I can't. Not apart from Christ. What I thought was a form of being humble was actually not believing Jesus to be who He says He is. I believe God has a place for each of us in His story. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. And as Christians we are ALL called. But first we have to surrender our lives to Him and trust His sovereignty. This can be so hard! There have been so many times over the years I have seen God moving then other times life seemed at a standstill. LOTS of waiting. Days that seemed mundane where I felt I should be doing more. But now I see that God was shaping me, molding me, making me. We must often go into the dark room until His image is forged in us. I wouldn't trade that time for the world. He never deserted me and was drawing me closer to Him. The more I draw in closer the more I know that my future is secure in Him. Everywhere I turn lately he seems to gently keep nudging me to risk, surrender, step out of my comfort zone so that He can replace fear with true faith. Because <b>it isn't really faith unless it looks a little bit like fear.</b> I love this from Jesus Calling...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">Be willing to go out on a limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be. Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief. Your longing to live close to Me is at odds with your attempts to minimize risk. You are approaching a crossroads in your journey. In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Let Me lead you step by step through this day. If your primary focus is on Me, you can walk along perilous paths without being afraid. Eventually, you will learn to relax and enjoy the adventure of our journey together. As long as you stay close to Me, My sovereign Presence protects you wherever you go.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">I am just an ordinary girl who has decided to go for it. It's a bit scary to even sing "Oceans" as a prayer because to have faith without borders is to leave everything in His hands. That means a lot of unknowns. I am as analytical as they come, a control freak and always want a plan. So this is totally opposite my normal character. But what have I got to lose but everything and in exchange gain a new understanding of true depth and faith in a Sovereign God. May He shut and open doors so that I may live out the rest of my life in the way that will most glorify Him. Oh how this is my hearts cry but I struggle to claim it just the same. My human nature wants safety, security, money in the bank, a comfortable life. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">I found a poem two days ago from a journal from high school which hit me like a ton of bricks. It made me think about Paul who was in chains and Joseph who was sold into slavery and ended up in prison but all for the sake of </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Christ.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"> Surrendering to Jesus doesn't always mean a bed of roses. For many in the bible it meant giving up comfort, familiarity, family. Am I willing to do just that if it means others may come to know Christ. I feel this is what God keeps asking me just as He did Peter. "Do you love me?" Then feed my sheep. </span></span></span></div>
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<strong>Obedience</strong></div>
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<strong><strong>By George MacDonald</strong></strong></div>
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<strong><strong>(1824-1905)</strong></strong></div>
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I said: “Let me walk in the fields.”</div>
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He said: “No, walk in the town.”</div>
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I said: “There are no flowers there.”</div>
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He said: “No flowers, but a crown.”</div>
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I said: “But the skies are black;</div>
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There is nothing but noise and din.”</div>
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And He wept as He sent me back –</div>
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“There is more,” He said; “there is sin.”</div>
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I said: “But the air is thick,</div>
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And fogs are veiling the sun.”</div>
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He answered: “Yet souls are sick,</div>
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And souls in the dark undone!”</div>
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I said: “I shall miss the light,</div>
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And friends will miss me, they say.”</div>
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He answered: “Choose tonight</div>
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If I am to miss you or they.”</div>
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I pleaded for time to be given.</div>
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He said: “Is it hard to decide?</div>
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It will not seem so hard in heaven</div>
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To have followed the steps of your Guide.”</div>
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I cast one look at the fields,</div>
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Then set my face to the town;</div>
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He said, “My child, do you yield?</div>
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Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”</div>
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Then into His hand went mine;</div>
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And into my heart came He;</div>
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And I walk in a light divine,</div>
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The path I had feared to see.</div>
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Each of us has our own preferred places and situations. So our forms of obedience and resistance will look different. That is the beauty of it because we all have unique callings on our lives. God doesn't need us but He wants us. <b>Our lives are just a vapor and they weren't meant to be lived safe or risk free</b>. Life is not wreckage to be saved out of the world but an investment to be used in the world. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-6143590553711870002014-02-10T15:58:00.000-08:002014-02-10T15:58:53.070-08:00Ladies...calm down ;)Just want to clarify a few things from Ryan's previous blog post. We are not moving to Africa tomorrow! As Ryan said, he has felt called to full time ministry for a while now which is why he started school two years ago to complete a BA in Religion. We want to be open to whatever doors God leads us to. My prayer for years has been that I would not sit by idly enjoying my privileges and advantages while the rest of the world suffers, grieves and starves. Not if God is willing to use me to do something about it. Right now we have committed to saying yes to fly over to Ethiopia at the end of the Summer for God to confirm if this is where He wants us to serve full time. We are SO excited about the MYM ministry and all they are doing in Ethiopia with community based orphan care. We want to see the ministry first hand and evaluate Nara's emotions. Ladies you do not need to stress just yet and go looking for a new hairstylist lol!!! If God continues to confirm that this is His plan after our 4-6 week trip, we will then begin to raise funding to be there full time. Raising funding will most likely take months, so either way we are looking at at least another year before we would be moving. Thank you to all who have encouraged us upon hearing about this opportunity and we thank you so very much for partnering in prayer with us. More than anything we just want God to be glorified. This isn't about us. We aren't going to change the world. Jesus will do that. We just want to be obedient and say yes to however our lives can best serve Him.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-87920272006287416952014-02-05T09:31:00.001-08:002014-02-05T09:31:29.467-08:00Trust Without Borders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYIfN_4N5jbe92kyuJxkUc36Ufqqh1EeHQDjh1DyOnzebGrin4lYLNLFGTvAb5h0LOXDwdadzy4X2GVkXa3gir64h4OEi_t_ySg6EVj9oLMl77lHXQuNOmDy8rCnb_4WlNrAL0Fu2P9qS/s1600/jesus-walking-on-water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYIfN_4N5jbe92kyuJxkUc36Ufqqh1EeHQDjh1DyOnzebGrin4lYLNLFGTvAb5h0LOXDwdadzy4X2GVkXa3gir64h4OEi_t_ySg6EVj9oLMl77lHXQuNOmDy8rCnb_4WlNrAL0Fu2P9qS/s1600/jesus-walking-on-water.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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The title for this post could not be more perfect for the Thomas families current situation. Seriously...let me explain. A few weeks ago Courtney and I rode to Atlanta with our pastor Zach and some youth from church to Passion 2014 conference. My favorite song that weekend was the song "Oceans" by Hillsong United who performed by the way and were awesome. Something about the song just really took a hold of me. My favorite lyrics from the song are the bridge which goes like this:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Let me walk upon the waters</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Wherever You would call me</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And my faith will be made stronger</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">In the presence of my Savior</span></div>
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These lyrics have been Courtney and I's prayer for at least the last 5 years. We have been on mission trips around the world and have seen the extremely poor, the orphans, and the desperate. We have prayed very specifically over the past few years telling God that we are willing to go wherever he may call us. Two years ago I even started working towards completing a Bachelor's degree in religion because I knew in my heart that God had big plans for our family. We've been praying lately that once I got close to graduating that God would open a door and give us some guidance as to how He would have me serve in full time ministry. I graduate in a few months. After returning from Passion conference and with these lyrics resonating in my mind and heart...Courtney and I received a Facebook message upon returning from the conference that is turning our world upside down.</div>
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It was near midnight and a private Facebook message came through on my iPhone. It was titled "Are you moving to Africa?!!!" and it was from our very good friends Trent and Carmen Post who are missionaries with Make Your Mark in Ethiopia. I was obviously intrigued and immediately opened the message. Trent was basically asking our family to pray about moving to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to help design and run the ministry programs for their Make Your Mark House Day Center (<a href="http://www.mymministries.org/#!what-we-do/c21kh" target="_blank">Day Center and KKHI</a>) for street kids as well as for the families involved in their Keeping Kids Home Initiative program. Lets just say that I didn't sleep much that night!<br />
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The next few weeks following, Courtney and I dedicated ourselves to lots of prayer and Scripture study. After MUCH prayer and confirmations we have decided to see what God has in store for our family in Ethiopia. We feel that God is calling our family to full time mission work in Addis and have committed to a 4-6 week "confirmation/trial run" trip, probably late summer of this year, to confirm this calling on our lives. We will have the opportunity to see first-hand the ministries that we will be involved in with Make Your Mark Ethiopia, as well as a chance to see what it would be like to actually live there and to evaluate Nara's feelings/emotions towards living in her home country again.<br />
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Our biggest concern in the whole deal is our daughter Nara. She has lived such a very hard life at such a young age and we aren't sure how she'll react to being back in her home country where we're sure she experienced much tragedy and pain for such a young girl. However, we got a little confirmation on that last night as well. We have been asking Nara questions about the opportunity just to get a feel for how she would react to us going. Last night before dinner Courtney asked who was going to pray. Nara volunteered. She never volunteers at dinner, she always said that she will wait until bedtime prayers. She told Courtney and I to put our hands together and close our eyes. She started. The simplest, most beautiful prayer followed. She said, "Thank you Jesus for my food. Thank you Jesus for the kids in Ethiopia that we're going to help. Amen." Courtney and I both opened our teary eyes and looked at each other. We know that God is already working on sweet Nara's heart and preparing her for what is to come. We have prayed big things over her from the start and Courtney has said from the beginning that she wants Nara to be a little Esther. We even considered Esther as a middle name for Nara. Esther, like Nara, was adopted. I'm sure her life was hard and considering her circumstances she probably felt as if there was no purpose or calling on her life. However, it turns out, as a result of the events that God sovereignly orchestrated in Esther's life, she had the chance to save her people. We want the same for Nara. Before we even brought Nara home we both decided that we did not want to "Americanize" Nara, but to prepare her to one day go back and help the people of Ethiopia. We just didn't realize it would be this soon! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b</span></i></span></div>
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If this strong calling that we are now feeling is confirmed on our trial-run trip, then we will return home to begin the long process of raising financial support to fund our long term stay in Ethiopia. We realize that the journey that we are looking at is not an easy one. We realize that ministry is hard and that its going to be way hard in a third world country. That is why, most of all, we need your prayers and encouragement. We realize that we are under qualified so He will have to do this in and through us. Please be praying that He continues to give us clarity in our decisions and peace in the months leading up to our confirmation trip.<br />
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If you would like to check out Make Your Mark Ethiopia, and what they're up to, go to <a href="http://www.mymministries.org/" target="_blank">www.mymministries.org</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ryan </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-22910774103271684902013-12-29T16:28:00.000-08:002013-12-29T16:28:08.303-08:00It's the thought that counts...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scared and timid Nara stepping off the plane in Charlotte from Ethiopia.</td></tr>
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Nara has been home with us now almost 8 months and they have been 8<br />
"interesting" months to say the least. Things started out really slow and tough. In the first month or so, Nara wouldn't have anything to do with me (Ryan). If I walked into the room she would immediately stop playing or whatever she was doing and run to her mom and want her to pick her up. There were several days I remember just watching her play outside with her mom from the kitchen window just so she could relax and have fun. So to use the word "tough" is an understatement. However, Nara eventually started to come around and embrace the idea of me being her dad. She has actually recently become my little buddy.<br />
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I think something that happened on Christmas morning really confirmed and solidified to Courtney and I how Nara feels about us. The week before Christmas I was at home with Nara while Courtney was at work and Nara came to me to tell me that she was wrapping mommy and daddy a gift for Christmas. She went into her room with the wrapping paper, tape, and scissors and went to work. I caught a glimpse of what she was wrapping and it was a Liberty University notepad that I had given her several months back. The notepad is in pretty rough shape and has been scribbled in and on for months. I thought to myself, "Well that's cute. We'll just have to pretend to be really excited about our 'gift' on Christmas morning."<br />
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Well Christmas morning finally arrived and we were up at 6:30am with Nara ready to see what the whole Santa thing was all about. Nara walked into the living room and was very quiet and looked around and said, "Mom...dad...where's Santa?" She thought that Santa would be waiting on her when she woke up on Christmas morning. After some explaining we sat down and started on our stockings first. Nara was so excited about her Hello Kitty battery powered toothbrush. Seriously, I really think that was her favorite gift. We finished up with stockings and it was time for gifts. This was this little girls first Christmas ever...it aches me to think of what she was doing on Christmas morning the past couple years...she had gifts and toys from Santa waiting on her to dig into and she says, "Mommy and Daddy open your gift first!" She ran around the tree and grabbed the box that contained her "gift" for Courtney and I. She had written my name and Courtney's name on the outside of the box as well as her name and a couple of smiley faces, ha. Courtney and I proceeded to open the gift and we put on our smiles and unwrapped the shabby notepad. However, upon further inspection, we began flipping through the pages and Nara had drawn, with great care, pictures on many of the pages for us. There were Christmas trees, smiley faces, stickers, and stick figure pictures of our little family.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbszm1PKRjsmctMIaFM_dklWwBb7LBCgXWhmM8ywgM1IMsP_zUQCh2N91ojeZzkJFYGXH-QGdxA3BuKPQuvwb9IEuIhbsI0Oj5AcRsyPXXZ4_VjYke3lcALZDYJtxC3Cabey2bpZpYf1tB/s1600/DSC_3222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbszm1PKRjsmctMIaFM_dklWwBb7LBCgXWhmM8ywgM1IMsP_zUQCh2N91ojeZzkJFYGXH-QGdxA3BuKPQuvwb9IEuIhbsI0Oj5AcRsyPXXZ4_VjYke3lcALZDYJtxC3Cabey2bpZpYf1tB/s640/DSC_3222.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting mom and dad with their "gift".</td></tr>
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This whole time we were thinking, "Well she just grabbed some random notepad and threw it in a box so lets just act excited." When in actuality, she knew she didn't have any money to buy us anything or even own anything that she knew we would want. So what she did was take all that she had to work with, and poured her time, talents, energy, and love into it. She gave that gift with so much joy on her face. That my friends, is what Christmas is all about. I'd even go as far to say that this is what the Christian life is all about! You take what you have to work with, you invest your time, talents, energy, and love and you give with great joy. And most of all, you put others before yourself. Courtney and I love and appreciate all the gifts we received for Christmas, but we can both can say with complete certainty that our gift from Nara is our absolute favorite.<br />
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I believe Nara's gift to us displays a level of authenticity that is almost unheard of in the church and our culture in general. She put so much time, effort, and love into her gift. She could have just given us some really lavish, expensive gift, but wouldn't that really just be the easy way out? Yes, those lavish gifts may require the sacrifice of some money, but what else does it really cost you? It requires very little investment of time, talent, or love really. If we could all learn to invest, love, and give with the authenticity that Nara displayed, who knows what the church could accomplish?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnFZJ9cTezVmrA5VwTlLNa7Xyb7li6jmipf6Ha-RrJBHFIR2nBZZWe3oUNez6xauNjZ62Aw-wxv9Falw29A-sU_3i0nxvKOA7gQn4Z3jtpaKz1efYy5gF9aMS61gKjsIFTdHLCNVi1ms3/s1600/DSC_3223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnFZJ9cTezVmrA5VwTlLNa7Xyb7li6jmipf6Ha-RrJBHFIR2nBZZWe3oUNez6xauNjZ62Aw-wxv9Falw29A-sU_3i0nxvKOA7gQn4Z3jtpaKz1efYy5gF9aMS61gKjsIFTdHLCNVi1ms3/s640/DSC_3223.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So excited about us unwrapping the gift she wrapped. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxwik9qi0gAnRPnC4VssPMpqogYHNJyKPSw9V0dUmqWAzPG2FHZlUtvLCtTgXmNN0GGH7UBCVOSRmml6m4aP_3ruCajEwAoFBUvpIjnRdI8LjZWg_FYFLYfcBAPQ4BOdC7caxxjsSoBTi/s1600/DSC_3224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxwik9qi0gAnRPnC4VssPMpqogYHNJyKPSw9V0dUmqWAzPG2FHZlUtvLCtTgXmNN0GGH7UBCVOSRmml6m4aP_3ruCajEwAoFBUvpIjnRdI8LjZWg_FYFLYfcBAPQ4BOdC7caxxjsSoBTi/s640/DSC_3224.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the pieces of art inside her gift to us. (the stickers are ornaments)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
In Him, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ryan Thomas</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-81074750219639065312013-12-26T15:15:00.002-08:002013-12-26T15:15:54.405-08:00Nara's 4th Birthday and First Ever Birthday Celebration!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On November 30th we celebrated Nara's 4th Birthday and first ever birthday celebration. I have never cried watching someone blow out their candles but this day I did. The expression on Nara's face as everyone sang Happy Birthday is one I will never forget. It was as if in that moment she knew how special she is to us, how much she is loved and that this special celebration was just for her. I think she really felt like a princess. The party was at my parents home with just a few friends and immediate family. The kids enjoyed making their very own gingerbread houses that they were able to take home. </div>
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Happy Birthday Nara Thomas! You are LOVED!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-12643026967191347732013-11-10T14:34:00.001-08:002013-11-10T16:27:04.135-08:00Purchase With A PurposeNot sure about you but I've already began thinking about my Christmas shopping. I also love to buy when I know it helps someone else. I've compiled a list of a few different companies that are fair trade, give back, organizations etc. You can use your purchasing power to create change in the world and restore dignity to others. <span style="color: #94908b; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
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The first I'll share is <a href="http://noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">noondaycollection.com</a> The have amazing <b>jewelry, handbags, home decor</b> etc. that is all handmade. You create a marketplace for their artisans so they can earn more, work less and families stay together.<br />
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Another way to give is through <a href="http://worldvision.org/" target="_blank">worldvision.org</a>. Honor someone special with a <b>life-changing gift</b>. A few years ago my hubby and I bought a goat for a family in another country in honor of my mom and dad. We were able to print off a personalized card for my parents explaining what a difference one goat can make to a family in a poverty stricken country. My mom cried and I really think it was the most meaningful thing we have ever given to my parents. Another year we helped contribute towards a well for clean water. I never realized how much this meant until our daughter Nara has dealt with symptoms from parasites from drinking unclean water in Ethiopia. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>No. 41</b> had some beautiful Christmas stockings right now! <a href="http://no41.org/" target="_blank">no41.org</a><span style="background-color: white;"> is about empowering young women. Our goal is not to give them the world, but to show them that God has already given them everything they need to go out there and take it. When you join with us, you are truly changing the world FOR ONE.</span></span></div>
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One of my favorites is <b>Better Than One Designs</b>. Two local adoptive momma's making custom vintage signs to help adoptive families seeking funding. I've already ordered a few myself and they are so cute!!! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BetterthanoneDesigns" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/BetterthanoneDesigns</a></div>
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If you're a <b>coffee</b> lover check out <a href="http://landofathousandhills.com/" target="_blank">landofathousandhills.com</a>. Drink Coffee. Do Good. Your excellent morning cup is offering hope to developing coffee communities with each purchase.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Another good one to check out is </span></span><a href="http://halfunited.com/" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit; line-height: 23px;" target="_blank">halfunited.com</a><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> For every product </span></span><span style="color: #4d4d4d;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">purchased <b>Half United</b> will give Half of all profits to feed children in need. It was started by a brother-sister duo in Wilmington, NC. They did a trunk show in Nordstrom last year and my mom and dad bought me one of their bullet casing necklaces. I love wearing it because everyone always asks me about it. It's also a great reminder for me that there are </span></span></span><span style="color: #4d4d4d;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">children out there who don't even know where their next meal is coming from. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d;">This Christmas shop with purpose!!!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-81395278365269667322013-10-17T19:37:00.000-07:002013-10-17T19:37:33.336-07:00Riverbend Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nara LOVED her first field trip to Riverbend Farm! Last year after accepting her referral we were encouraged to send her some pics of our family doing something fun together. We had just visited the farm the month before with my nephew Braxten so we sent some of those pics in a little photo album. She has known about the pumpkin patch for quite some time and was pumped to get to visit it today with her class from Carolina Christian Preschool. </div>
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Nara and her sweet friend Irelyn</div>
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Hayride!</div>
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This is the one mom!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-47556960977718357202013-08-17T11:39:00.000-07:002013-09-07T15:59:40.688-07:00Nara's First Family Vacation & Beach Trip <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in January we went to Lake Wiley with my family for my birthday. The day we left, Ryan and I got our monthly update on Nara with this beautiful picture. I remember looking at this picture so many times while we were there. Sometimes tears would start to well up in my eyes because it felt like there was a void. Here we were vacationing with family and yet our daughter who we already loved so much was still 8,000 miles away stuck in an orphanage. Pretty much all of last year after our referral any holiday, vacation or day of significance was a little off because our daughter was unable to share those special days with us. What a joy it was this year for her to FINALLY be with us at our annual family Lake Wiley trip!!!!<br />
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After spending a few days with my family at the lake, we came home for one night, reloaded the car and headed for the beach. Nara was still half asleep but jumped in the car and kept repeating over and over "I'm ready to go!"</div>
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Here she is putting her toes in the ocean for the first time. She absolutely loved the beach! Each morning she was ready to put on her swim suit and wanted to eat every meal on the balcony so she could still see the water. Nara is teaching me to appreciate the things I so often take for granted. </div>
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She loved playing "puhh puhh puhh" and was upset on the last hole when her ball disappeared. For an hour she kept talking about how she lost her ball. Nara has been such a blessing to our family. Can't imagine life without her. God is SO good! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-52239844789006237902013-07-06T19:57:00.000-07:002013-07-07T20:31:56.940-07:00Life with little Nara...Let me just start by saying that I've been meaning to blog for weeks but life is a bit different now and I'm finding it harder to find a spare minute for this sort of thing with a 3 year old. Ha just sayin ;) What a crazy & wonderful several weeks it has been. The first few weeks were very tough but we made it through. Not to say we won't have more hard days but I finally feel we are getting our grove back and Nara is progressing each day. Tomorrow will be exactly 10 weeks since we picked her up from the transition home. Looking back now at pictures of that day I cannot believe what a brave little girl she is. She looks so sad and unsure after we picked her up and she said her goodbyes. Her whole world was turned upside down. She left behind friends and all that was familiar. The first weeks home were a time of cocooning for us as we worked on building trust with her along with bonding and attachment. There were many nights were I just held her as she sobbed. Some nights I cried right along with her. Partly from exhaustion and partly from my heart breaking thinking about all that she has endured as such a young age. I can honestly say that the cocooning was tough but well worth it. I have seen such a transformation in little Nara! I take back anything I said about her being shy. I should've known I would eat those words! She is like a totally different kid from when we first met her. Now I see that it wasn't her true personality at all but just a scared little girl who had already had so many big changes in her life to only be three years old. We were her forth set of caregivers so how could she possibly believe that she could trust us or know how much we loved her and would never leave her.<br />
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Right after we picked her up from the Transition Home. She looks so sad.</div>
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Leaving Ethiopia<br />
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Her shirt reads...He Created The Whole World And Yet God Knows My Name....He sure does precious Nardos (Nara) Ryan Thomas. </div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">She has the funniest personality and the sweetest giggle!!!! I love hearing her talk and I have been amazed at the english she has already picked up in just a few short weeks. Hearing her call me mommy for the first time...priceless. Watching her sneak into our bedroom on Saturday and Sunday mornings to "tickle monster" her daddy is the best! Love watching their relationship grow. One night as we were doing our bedtime routine she wanted her turn saying her prayers for the first time. She said lots of family members names and a "thank you Jesus...amen." Then started singing Kari Jobes' song, We Are The Light of the World. I was having a such a beautiful inspired moment and was thinking to myself, "this is why we adopted!" Just before I could get too emotional she rolled over and handed me a booger. In the mornings she loves to cuddle. I especially love my days off so that I can snuggle with her. Today in particular we were laying in her bed with her arms around me laughing when she voluntarily told me that my breath stinks. Not so sure I'm excited about ALL the english she has learned already!!! Cannot get over what a sweet and silly little girl she is.</span></div>
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Dancing before bedtime with her new bike helmet on</div>
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Playing dress up in mine and her Nonna's clothes.</div>
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Of course she has her typical three year old moments but it makes me smile to hear her laugh and watch her grow. Praying over her as God continues to heal her heart and shape her into all that He created her to be. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-13480674173456365962013-05-16T06:07:00.001-07:002013-05-16T06:08:07.312-07:00Two Peas In a Pod...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What a wonderful first Mother's Day! Ryan fixed Nara and I a big breakfast and then we spent the rest of the day with both of our families. The best part of the day was watching Nara and her cousin Braxten play together. He brought out a whole new side of her that we had never seen before. Up until this point she wouldn't smile or talk much and we hadn't heard her laugh at all. I love how God works out even the smallest of details for His children. He knew that one day little Nara would join our family and that she would need a friend. Braxten was SO good to her. It just so happened that Barrett, Ashlyn and Braxten were in town for their baby shower last week. Absolutely perfect timing for Nara as I can already tell she is missing being around children. She and Brax were like two peas in a pod. She is in love with him! After spending a few days together, Braxten wanted to learn how to say I love you in Amharic. One night while the two of them were jumping on the trampoline Braxten told her he loved her. She giggled and said she loved him too. SO sweet! Made this momma's heart so full! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">She loves the water! Can't wait to take her to the beach...</span></b></div>
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<b>More giggles...</b></div>
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<b>Best friends for life!</b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-21243352862651755272013-05-07T10:56:00.000-07:002013-05-07T11:01:02.038-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Thomas Party of 3!!!</span></div>
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So...here's the fast version. We cleared embassy on a Thursday morning and in less than two days we were on a plane headed to Ethiopia to go get our girl! We arrived home last week and are currently working on getting acclimated as a family of three! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PdSA338M7JI0hV4X4D-WeVnE7lxza-mghrzFdgkJ9nLInkTm1y6rKCxUlF_eazaEjTLU4-BxXfnX85w9N9OYlkw4oXS-AbkbYU4xgMicMm1as69dO2NGFev_SkYyuHE3J9OVd0SJ5L1t/s1600/DSC_2340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PdSA338M7JI0hV4X4D-WeVnE7lxza-mghrzFdgkJ9nLInkTm1y6rKCxUlF_eazaEjTLU4-BxXfnX85w9N9OYlkw4oXS-AbkbYU4xgMicMm1as69dO2NGFev_SkYyuHE3J9OVd0SJ5L1t/s640/DSC_2340.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Gotcha Day!!! - April 28th, 2013</span></div>
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I have lots I want to share but it's hard to find time since I am now chasing a 3 year old around who is mesmerized by everything in sight ha! We've also had lots of ups and downs our first week home but with time I know that little Nara will blossom into the child she was created to be. For those who missed our arrival at the airport with our sweet girl, please enjoy this video so beautifully done by Tim and Asharae with Grain & Compass....</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/65506762" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/65506762">Courtney + Ryan Bring Nara Home</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/grainandcompass">Grain & Compass</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002225378178747348.post-53345213802457501992013-04-23T19:05:00.003-07:002013-04-24T11:47:43.116-07:00Meet Senesie...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The most powerful way you can fight poverty...</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFW_nwXw5QClDcP5KaJCleeGLzCfiZR_atyi9fceKMQhlFDaO2Wb9bVVkewIJ_iBgy3IKPwWCIM0NHPweT1u6roYsDxjYuM95l6tjc4yBYY_k_W19WyXtgqqs9R-ccsQs5AJhnG56DzEU/s1600/Updated_I-171H_2013_Certpage_NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFW_nwXw5QClDcP5KaJCleeGLzCfiZR_atyi9fceKMQhlFDaO2Wb9bVVkewIJ_iBgy3IKPwWCIM0NHPweT1u6roYsDxjYuM95l6tjc4yBYY_k_W19WyXtgqqs9R-ccsQs5AJhnG56DzEU/s640/Updated_I-171H_2013_Certpage_NEW.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I spoke yesterday about praying and thinking of ways to keep kids from ever becoming orphans in the first place. Wanna know a tangible way to get involved and make a huge difference in the life of a child? <b>Seriously it's the best $35 you'll spend a month! Sponsorship programs help keep families intact, they keep children from going hungry and they provide education for the children involved. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I started sponsoring Senesie through <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/" target="_blank">www.worldvision.org </a>after seeing his picture on a table several years ago a youth conference. He was only about 5 years old at the time. His birthday is November 22, 2000 and he is from Sierra Leone. He lives with his aunt, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters. Where he lives, houses are made of mud, bricks and thatch roofs. His favorite animal is a goat and Christmas is his favorite time of the year. He likes to play soccer. In the picture above are some clothes and things he was able to get because of the money we sent for his birthday last fall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What are the benefits of child sponsorship? Access to life saving basics like: Healthcare, clean water, education, economic development, nutritious food and Christian commitment. Child sponsorship helps to build stronger communities where children can grow and thrive. This work is done by partnering with members of the community to address both the immediate and long-term needs of families. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I get pictures and letters from Senesie pretty regularly. I am so thankful for the happiness and true joy that he has brought to Ryan and I, so much more than the $35 we send for the sponsorship each month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One time he wrote me and said how thankful he was for being sponsored because it is helping him to achieve his dreams and helping him find his strength. He hopes that we will meet one day. I hope so too ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was reading another moms blog recently and each of her children helped pick a child to sponsor who is their same age. Such a great idea! The benefits from doing this are pretty obvious. It teaches them compassion </span>and is a tangible and easy way for kids to experience giving. It helps children understand the global picture. It introduces them to another culture and gives them the opportunity to build a relationship with a child their same age on the other side of the world. I think the process also teaches children that everyone is important and has a story worth hearing. When I was a little girl my family sponsored a girl named Manisha from India through Compassion International. I am so thankful to my parents for doing this because it gave me perspective and opened my eyes to the true issues of poverty. </div>
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If you have been looking for a way to get involved check out <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/" target="_blank">www.worldvision.org</a> or <a href="http://www.compassion.org/" target="_blank">www.compassion.org</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207501673289986014noreply@blogger.com0